Gemelli's Gourmet opening in Islip

Gemelli’s Gourmet is opening its second shop on the South Shore. The family-run shop — serving sandwiches, pasta, salads and prepared foods — will take over the Islip storefront that had been Coyle’s Ice Cream, which moved down the block in May.

Adriana, Alessia and Marc Schutz opened their first Gemelli’s Gourmet, in Lindenhurst, last year. They are the children of Robert and Patrizia Schutz (who established Glen Head’s Gemelli Gourmet Market North in 2016) and the grandchildren of Gelsomina Cosentino, the matriarch behind Gemelli Fine Foods and Gemelli Ristorante in Babylon. (The three "Gourmets" do not share ownership with the Babylon businesses.)

Adriana Schutz said that Gemelli’s was received so enthusiastically in Lindenhurst, it was a no-brainer to open a second location. "The community loved the idea of a glorified deli-sandwich shop with the addition of the chopped salad bar," she said. "We are local to Islip and wanted to make our presence known there."

As in Lindenhurst, there will be a few dozen specialty sandwiches. The Burrata Bulldog, named for Lindenhurst High School’s mascot (the bulldog, not the burrata) features a chicken cutlet with burrata, vodka sauce, cherry peppers, balsamic glaze and pesto on a hero. That sandwich will make the trip to Islip, but will assume another name — perhaps namechecking the Islip Buccaneers. You’ll also find a full range of prepared foods (from Tuscan kale salad to orzo with shiitake mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and almonds), freshly prepared burgers and pasta, signature salads and an extensive chopped salad bar.

Gemelli and Coyle’s are connected by marriage: Alessia Schutz is married to Michael Khoury, who owns the ice cream chainlet with Quadir Russell. While the Lindenhurst store has a small ice cream counter, Islip will have no need for one since it is so close to Coyle’s new flagship. Adriana Schutz said that they are shooting for a fall opening.